chimney

Meanings

Noun

• A vertical tube or hollow column used to emit environmentally polluting gaseous and solid matter (including but not limited to by-products of burning carbon- or hydrocarbon-based fuels); a flue.
• The glass flue surrounding the flame of an oil lamp.
• The smokestack of a steam locomotive.
• A narrow cleft in a rock face; a narrow vertical cave passage.
• A vagina.
• A black eye; a shiner.

Verb

• To negotiate a chimney (narrow vertical cave passage) by pushing against the sides with back, feet, hands, etc.

Origin

• From Middle English chymeney, chymney, chymne, from Old French cheminee, from Late Latin camināta, from Latin caminus, from Ancient Greek κάμῑνος. chimenea.